People> Dr Tathagat Tulsi, 22, becomes Professor Tulsi at IIT Bombay

14th July, 2010, Wednesday

He completed high school at the age of 9, had a B.Sc at 10, an M.Sc in Physics at 12, and a PhD in Quantum Computing from the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore, at 21. In 2003, Time named him among the world's seven most gifted youngsters. Now, at age 22, Patna-born prodigy Tathagat Avtar Tulsi has become possibly the youngest assistant professor at IIT.

Tulsi will teach Physics at IIT Bombay from July 19, having chosen the institute over Waterloo University, Canada, and the Indian Institute of Science Education & Research (IISER), Bhopal, both of which had offered him jobs.

"I turned down Waterloo despite an impressive pay package because I do not want to go abroad now," Tulsi told The Indian Express over the phone from Patna. "My dream is to set up a lab focused on quantum computation in India, and one day help develop a largescale quantum computation-based supercomputer. IIT Bombay offers me these possibilities."

IIT Bombay confirmed that Tulsi is set to join its faculty. In an appointment letter sent on June 30, IIT Bombay Director Prof Devang V Khakar informed Tulsi that the institute's Board of Governors was pleased to offer him assistant professorship on contract at the Department of Physics.

Hailed early as a wonder boy, Tulsi suffered humiliation in August 2001 when a delegation of scientists taken by the Department of Science & Technology to Lindau in Germany for an interaction with Nobel laureates, suggested that he was a "fake prodigy" who had "mugged up" jargon which he spouted unthinkingly.

A hurt Tulsi went into a shell for several years. He returned to news this February after he became the youngest holder of a PhD in India.

"Back then it hurt a lot. But I have put the humiliation behind me, and now feel that I have achieved something. I am very happy to join an IIT as faculty. I am looking forward to teaching and research," Tulsi said.

Article source: http://in.news.yahoo.com/241/20100713/1257/tnl-dr-tathagat-tulsi-22-becomes-profess.html

People> Meet the 12-year-old Indian headmistress!

London, April 19 (ANI): A 12-year-old Indian girl, who was abandoned at a railway station in Bihar as an infant, has become the head teacher at a school in Kusumbhara, her adopted village.

Bharti Kumari teaches Hindi, English and maths to 50 village kids who would otherwise receive no education.

She gives them lessons every morning and evening, under the shade of a mango tree. In between, she attends a state school in Akhodhi Gola, a two-mile walk away.

In her school uniform, she passes on the knowledge gleaned from her lessons to the village children, aged between four and 10, in her own class.

"I have a long day. My school is from 10am to 3pm and I study late. This is what I love doing. I enjoy teaching children their ABCs as well as the Hindi alphabets," Times Online quoted her as saying.

Kusumbhara is a poverty-stricken village 87 miles from Patna, the state capital.

Rampati, Bharti's adoptive father, an impoverished farmhand, said he would not follow the rural tradition of pushing girls into early marriages but would allow her to continue her studies. (ANI)

News courtesy: http://in.news.yahoo.com/139/20100419/882/twl-meet-the-12-year-old-indian-headmist.html

Environment> Kartaka told to halt mining at tiger zone

March 5, 2010

Karnataka told to halt mining in tiger zone

Union environment and forest minister Jairam Ramesh on Thursday said mining in parts of the Bandipur forest reserve in Karnataka will not be allowed.

Ramesh said he was unaware of the Karnataka government's decision to open up parts of the tiger reserve for mining, but a showcause notice may be issued to the state government if the report is true.

The minister, who has been getting representations on the matter from Karnataka MPs, including some from the BJP, said he would send a team of experts to the state to assess the truth.

" I have received a letter from Karnataka chief minister B. S. Yeddyurappa stating that he will not release any land or allow any mining in the state without the permission of our ministry. This has been in response to my letter stating that he cannot de- reserve any forest area without our prior permission," Ramesh said.

However, based on media reports and representations from the MPs, Ramesh said he would send a team within a week to the areas where mining is said to have been allowed.

" There is no question of allowing mining in forest areas.

If my team finds that the Karnataka government has done that, we will issue a showcause notice to the state and stop it ( the mining)," he said.

M AIL T ODAY had reported on February 28 that the state government had decided to dereserve the Bolegowdanakatte forest which was recently added to the Bandipur reserve.

In Shimoga district, too, the Jedikatte reserve near the Bhadra tiger reserve is to be opened up for mining. Four blocks in the sloth bear sanctuary in Bellary have also been marked for iron- ore mining.

Congress MP from Chamarajanagar N. Dhruvanarayan, who has been on the forefront of the MPs' protest, said: " We have brought the issue of allowing mining in the sensitive Western Ghats to the attention of the minister. We are opposed to the Karnataka government's decision." Ramesh also held a meeting of 43 MPs from six states where the Western Ghats are spread — Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Gujarat and Goa — to discuss means to preserve the biodiversity in the region.

He has set up a 14- member panel headed by Madhav Gadgil, former chairman of the Indian Institute of Science Centre for Ecological Sciences, to suggest ways to preserve the Western Ghat ecology.

Reproduced From Mail Today. Copyright 2010. MTNPL. All rights reserved.

News Link: http://in.news.yahoo.com/248/20100305/1582/tnl-karnataka-told-to-halt-mining-in-tig.html

Sports> The Zzing Thing

February 26, 2010

Images: Awards and Prizes - 2008 - 2009

Image courtesy: Calls Incorporated

Charity has many manifestations

IN 2007, we a small group of small scale entrepreneurs decided that in our own humble way we must do something for the underprivileged and the lower middle class strata of the society.

Kolkata as a city gave us the platform and may be even the reason.

Calls Incorporated presenting the Zzing Thing

We at Calls Incorporated decided that all those children in the age group 9 – 16 would be the ones we would cater to. There are several programs in place already to cater to a child’s academic pursuits. But in India co-circular activities are always bypassed and undermined. From this stem of thought came the concept of exposing these children to a world of competitive cricket in league format in their vacations – summer and winter every year and award them with prizes and trophies at the end of the year on performance.

Pursuit of Excellence, Team Spirit and Overall Development

A young child – a key component of the future of India is an invaluable resource. The overall development of a child is very important. Education and health are the two most important facets of a child ’s development but a third equally important facet is co-circular development. Cricket acts as the great catalyst of giving a child an opportunity to excel in a

professional environment without the pressures that come with playing competitive cricket. To push for excellence, to foster a sense of team sprit and help the child grow up in a balanced environment. We also threw in some senior players to add some parity and to give the junior players a chance to compete with these senior players and horn their skills.

The format

Three teams namely The Zealous Warriors, Champs 7 and The Zzing Special play each other in a round robin format and the team that finishes with the highest wins at the end of the season are declared the winners. The matches are 20 over's a side and played on the sprawling Maidan of Kolkata.

An appeal

We are a small organization may be with a big heart. The league has grown by leaps and bounds in the last 3 years. Today we have more than 40 players in the league and there is a certain expenditure that we incur for the same. The cricket kits and accessories, jerseys and caps for players, ground bookings and logistics and of course the trophies and the medallions for the winners at the end of the year – there is always a price tag attached. In these tough times it is becoming increasingly difficult for us to sustain the ever increasing expenditure. Therefore please HELP US. With your contribution – small or big or even token and you would have done your bit.

Send cheques to...

Please draw your cheques favoring Calls Incorporated and send them to Calls Incorporated. 49/1D, Harish Mukherjee Road. Bhowanipur. Kolkata – 700025.

Contact us for any queries or suggestions at 0-9830041979

WE LOOK FORWARD TO A GENEROUS HAND FROM YOU. WE ALL AFTER ALL ARE

IN MANY WAYS DEPENDANT ON EACH OTHER.

Environment> Now pay Rs 28K to cut a tree

Now pay Rs 28K to cut a tree

February 25, 2010

To discourage people from cutting trees, the Delhi govt has increased the security deposit for cutting a tree to Rs 28,000.

The Delhi government has decided to increase the security deposit for cutting a tree from Rs 1,000 to Rs 28,000. The state cabinet approved the changes on Wednesday.

Chief minister Sheila Dikshit said she hoped it would discourage people from cutting trees unnecessarily.

As of now, people who want to cut a tree are required to take permission and then deposit Rs 1,000 per tree as security money, which is refunded after they plant 10 trees for each one they cut.

According to an environment department official, it costs nearly Rs 2,500 to plant one sapling and people prefer to forefeit the security deposit rather than planting 10 trees.

Applicants wishing to cut a tree will now have to deposit Rs 28,000 as the security money and this will be split into two categories, said an official.

" Half of it would be given to the forest department that will replant five of the 10 trees required to be planted. The remaining half would be refunded to the applicant after he plants the five trees," the official added.

Dikshit said it was becoming difficult to ensure that the trees being cut were replaced as per the law.

"Because of non- availability of land, meagre amount of security and the inadequacy of monitoring mechanism, it was becoming difficult to ensure compensatory plantation," she said.

News courtesy: http://in.news.yahoo.com/248/20100225/1582/tnl-now-pay-rs-28k-to-cut-a-tree.html

Health> Hospital-on-Wheels to be introduced in Andhra Pradesh

Jan 7, 2009, page 3, Deccan Chronicle

The Andhra Pradesh government will introduce 350 ‘Hospital-on-Wheels’ across the state to extend healthcare services to rural citizens. ‘Hospital on Wheels’ aims to provide services like monitoring of pregnant women, child growth and chronic diseases besides necessary laboratory investigations.

People> Awareness on Clean Drinking Water

Jan 7, 2009, page 3, Deccan Chronicle

British tourists are on a mission to India in their Adventure Rickshaw Run from Pondicherry to Shillong. Foreigners from various parts of the world took part in the auto rickshaw run in 50 auto rickshaws that started on January 1, 2009 to promote awareness on clean drinking water. They’re also involved in cancer research.

People> Rural Women become Self Reliant

Dec 31, 2008, Deccan Chronicle, page 5

The Konoklota Mahila Urban Co-operative Bank Ltd. In Jorhat, Assam is ushering in a new era of rural banking. Facilitating micro-banking, advancing micro-credit and providing micro-insurance facilities, the all woman set-up bank is going all out to help rural women become self reliant.

People> Rural Women become Self Reliant

Dec 31, 2008, Deccan Chronicle, page 5

The Konoklota Mahila Urban Co-operative Bank Ltd. In Jorhat, Assam is ushering in a new era of rural banking. Facilitating micro-banking, advancing micro-credit and providing micro-insurance facilities, the all woman set-up bank is going all out to help rural women become self reliant.

People> Example of Communal Harmony in Kerala

January 6, Deccan Chronicle, 2009, page 5

In an example of communal harmony, a mosque in the sleepy village of Choondal, in Thrissur district of Kerala is lending a helping hand to travel weary Ayyappa pilgrims who trek to the hill shrine at Sabarimala, by providing them with drinking water, food and shelter.

People> Animal Adoption Scheme’ launched in Indore

Jan 4, 2009, Deccan Chronicle, , page 5

A college girl from Indore has become the first person to adopt a python under the Van Vihar National Park’s novel ‘Animal Adoption Scheme’ launched recently to generate awareness among the people about wildlife. The girl, Abhinita Das, pursuing LLB from Indore’s Devi Ahilyabai University adopted a python which was a rare choice.

People> Pizza Grannies from Bangalore

Jan 4, 2009, Deccan Chronicle, , page 5

Two grand old ladies of Bengaluru (formerly known as Bangalore) have come to be known as the Pizza Grannies. They serve yummy pizzas for a cause – to build a home for the aged and to keep it running. The Pizza Grannies are Padma Srinivasan, 73 and her friend and business partner Jayalakshmi Sreenivasan 75.

People: Indian Railways' toll free number

January 3, 2009, Deccan Chronicle, page 5

The railways have recently launched a service to register complaints if one is annoyed with the quality of food served on board the trains. Dial the toll free number – 1800-111-139 to offer suggestions and lodge complaints regarding catering services on the railway network. This is a 24 x 7 service offered by the Indian Railways.

Inspiration: A coconut plucker's topsy-turvy art

January 11, 2009, Deccan Chronicle, page 5

A coconut plucker in Kollam, Kerala has virtually turned his profession topsy-turvy by mastering the art of climbing trees upside down. Over the years, 50 year old Ramachandran has proved that he could scale even the tallest coconut or arecanut (betel nut tee) upside down with great poise and ease.

Environment: Chilika, the biggest waterfowl habitat

January 11, 2009, Deccan Chronicle, page 5

Chilika, the biggest waterfowl habitat in Orissa, India has hosted around 891,000 birds of 155 species this winter. The majority of the birds were taking shelter in Nalabana, the bird sanctuary inside the blue lagoon.

Environment: ‘Chuck manja, save birds’

Jan 9, 2009, Deccan Chronicle, page 19

Excerpts from the article ‘Chuck manja, save birds’, by a Deccan Chronicle correspondent from Hyderabad, India.

This Sankrati, a campaign endorsed by Jiah Khan (for PETA) calling for people to ditch glass coated manjas (the strings used to fly paper kites), that leave birds injured has turned scores of young kite fighters into crusaders for birds.

Youngsters are urging friends to spare a thought for hundreds of birds that are left with mangled wings and bleeding bodies, while they are busy having fun.

Anuhya Reddy, an engineering student and WWF activist says, “We identify with this cause because if you look carefully, you can actually see birds somersaulting in the air before regaining balance. The best part is, you don’t even have to go out of your way to support this cause. It’s as simple as choosing to fly kites in the open areas where theyere are less or no trees.”

C. Aradhana, who has started an online community where people sign up and pledge to ditch glass manja this Sankrati says, “Birds are unaware of the maze that we make with the manjas in the sky. They fly right into this invisible trap and end up hurting their wings.
Shravanya Rao, an animal lover says, “Once injured by sharp manja, birds cannot regain balance and fall from great heights. Some are maimed for life while others bleed to death. When you tell this to people they seem surprised. They say this thought never occurred to them. It's important to spread the awareness about this.”

People and Environment: 'On a green mission’

Jan 11, 2009 Deccan Chronicle, page 19

Excerpts from the article ‘On a green mission’, by Chirag Mohanty Samal.

In the hope of saving the earth while they still can, young members of the Indian Youth Climate Network are traveling around the country to spread the message. The solution to almost every modern issue from recession to global warming lies in looking for alternative sources of energy they say. These young green activists who began their road trip from Chennai will drive down all the way to Delhi via 12 cities in their eco-friendly electric cars, urging urban India to switch to a greener lifestyle.

Deepanjali Gupta, the co-founder of ICYN says, “India is busy dealing with issues like poverty and national security; but the overall important issue of climate change is being ignored. Inspite of struggling with inflation and recession, we are not paying enough attention to alternative sources of energy which are cheaper and will do us a lot of good in the future.”

A solar powered heating system maybe expensive initially, but it works out cheaper in the long run. “There are many youngsters working with various NGOs to combat climate change and through this road tip we are trying to bring all of them together on a common platform.”

Kartikeya Singhm a rural energy researcher and a member of ICYN says, “We want to showcase potential solutions and share our experiences with the people we meet. We have visited several universities and held workshops there. The participation of the youth has been encouraging. In the process, we have also learnt about the various eco-friendly projects that enterprising students have come up with. If they get a proper platform and support from the government the scenario can change.”

Caroline Howe, from Yale University who is a part of this team says, “The number of engineers graduating each year in India is more than the population of certain American cities. This is undoubtedly t he land of climate solutions. So we are looking up to India to bring about a positive change.”

Monuments and Heritage Sites: School children take oath to maintain heritage sites

Jan 14, 2009, Deccan Chronicle, page 5

As a part of its sensitization program, the Archaeological Survey of India will administer an oath to about 150 students of a Delhi school to maintain cleanliness at heritage sites. The students will take the oath at a function at Munda Gumbad. The ASI has also launched the ‘Adopt a Heritage’ scheme to sensitize students to maintain cleanliness at monuments.

Monuments and Heritage Sites: Kangla Fort to be restored

Jan 14, 2009, Deccan Chronicle, page 5

Kangla Fort in Imphal from where Manipuri Kings ruled for 2000 years will be restored by the Manipur government. The fort included palaces, buildings and places of worship which were destroyed in the Anglo-Manipur war in 1891.

Environment: Cherrapunjee to be rescued of water shortage

Cherrapunjee, the world’s wettest spot, faces acute shortage of water during the post monsoon months and a slew of measures will be initiated by Israeli experts from February to restore its environment and harvest rainwater.